Meet Our Faculty: Michael Simonson, Ph.D., program professor

College:

Fischler School of Education and Human Services

Department:

Instructional Technology and Distance Education

Education:

B.S. in History, Government and Philosophy, Iowa State University
M.S.  in Curriculum and Instructional Media, Iowa State University
Ph.D. in Instructional Systems, University of Iowa

Previous Positions/Experience:

• Program Professor, Instructional Technology and Distance Education, Nova Southeastern University, 1998 to the present
• Professor of Curriculum and Instruction - Iowa State University (ISU) - September 1, 1982 – 1998
• Chief Executive Officer – Technology Research and Evaluation – Systems, 1996 – present
• Associate Director - Research Institute for Studies in Education, ISU, 1991-1996
• Captain, U.S. Marine Corps, 1968-72

Presentations/Publications:

I am editor of two scholarly journals and one convention proceedings:

• Quarterly Review of Distance Education
• Distance Learning journal
• Proceedings of the Annual Convention of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology
  
  
• I have published over 150 journal articles, book chapters, monographs and columns, and have made approximately 200 scholarly presentations nationally and internationally.

Books:

• Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M. & Zvacek, S. (2009). Teaching and Learning at a Distance: Foundations of Distance Education, 4th. Columbus, OH: Prentice-Hall.
• Visser, Y., Visser, L. Simonson, M. & Amirault, R. (2005). Trends and issues in distance Education: International perspectives. Greenwich, CT. Information Age Publishing
• Simonson, M. (1997). Educational Computing Foundations, 3rd Edition. Columbus, OH: Prentice-Hall (Merrill) Publishing Co.
• Simonson, M.R. and Volker, R.P. (1984). Media Planning and Production. Columbus, OH: Merrill Publishing Co.
• Volker, R.P. and Simonson, M.R. (1994). Technology for Teachers, 6th Ed. Dubuque, IA: Kendall-Hunt.

Specializations and Courses:

My areas of academic specialization include:

• Distance Learning Leadership
• Foundations of Distance Education
• Instructional Media
• Technology in Education
• Statistics, Research and Evaluation
• Instructional Design
• Trends and Issues in Instructional Technology and Distance Education
• Computer Literacy
• Video Production
• WWW/Internet Course Design

What drew you to NSU?
In the 1990s as a scientist studying instructional technology, I began to conduct research on distance education and e’learning. Naturally, this research identified Nova Southeastern University (NSU) as a leader in this growing field; I developed a professional admiration for NSU generally, and the Fischler School of Education and Human Services, more specifically. Fortunately, program dean, Dr. Maryellen Maher had a position open in the new program in Instructional Technology and Distance Education and I was able to convince her and her associates to give me a chance at the position. I have not looked back since 1998 (and I hope Maryellen has not either!).

What’s the best part about teaching NSU students?
During my ten years at NSU, I have been fortunate enough to meet students who were then and who have become leaders in the field of Distance Education. I have taught and worked with directors of training, deans of online learning, principals of virtual schools, provosts for continuing education, consultants for military training, and instructional technology teachers. These students have made a significant impact on my teaching and scholarship – they have been an inspiration.

What are you looking forward to at NSU?
NSU and the Fischler School are in a unique position to provide practical leadership based on scholarly effort about the growing field of distance education. Schools, colleges, universities and training organizations in the United States and world are looking to the scholarship being made available by the students and faculty of the Fischler School and the doctoral concentration in Instructional Technology and Distance Education. I look forward to contributing to this body of knowledge about best practices in distance education. Since my study of NSU in the 1990s I have known that NSU was leading the way in this growing professional area – I look forward to contributing to this continuing growth.